Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Working Tim

The Giants, one of the best road teams in the National League, flexed their "muscles" once again to secure yet another series by beating the Rockies, 8-3. A five run fiesta in the first! Even without Angel Pagan and Pablo Sandoval, the offense didn't miss a beat. We are frigging Road Warriors! Since the All-Star break, the Giants have gone 21-7 (.750) on the road...SF has won 10 of their last 12 road games, 12 of their last 15 and 17 of their last 22. Got that? It is simple...we kick ass on the road.

Tim Lincecum, the first of EIGHT Giant pitchers, once again found a way to get the job done. To hell with WHIP; screw ERA. The "new " Tim can't seem to get enough base runners...and when one gets on, that is when the trouble begins. It is like he is a different pitcher when he is in the stretch. All command seems to fade. Ah well, it is working, he avoids the big hit... so who am I to complain? Maybe next outing he can get his ERA below FIVE !! Ooops, there I go again. Keep working it, Tim. (Nice bunt, too.)

The good: What hasn't already been said about Marco Scutaro? The dude is a stud. Brandon Crawford is really starting to show he belongs out there everyday. His big hit against the crafty lefty, Jeff Francis, was what busted this one open.

4 comments:

If Tim's command was so good when he was in the windup, he would not end up in the stretch so much. I say, let him only pitch from the stretch. Let him start the game in the stretch. That way he can adjust, and that will be that. No need for windup Tim. This year and this year only, Tim goes six innings, and gives up 3 runs, and his ERA goes down. In previous years, such an outing would raise his ERA. 3 runs in six innings in Denver is not too bad. He could relax a little as the team got out in front with that sweet 5 run first inning.

When he gave up that 2-out hit and the 3rd run in the 6th Ol' Boch jogged out there and said something like "one more is all you get" and then Tim whiffed the guy. It was a great moment. He is clawing his way back and the timing is right. The hapless Dodgers lost in AZ and the MN is now 13. This series in the desert is going to be very tough. They are shooting for 2nd place and have something to prove against the front-runners. Should be some crackling good ball.

Let's hope the road thing can continue, it would be sweet to take this series against the snakes. We still have to play six against them before the end of the season. Having Matt on the hill is a good way to start.